<i>Good catches of hilsa in Patuakhali </i>
Prices higher as fewer trawlers go for fishing in coast
Average sized hilsa is selling at Tk 14,000 a maund despite its plentiful arrival at Patuakhali markets.Photo: STAR
Huge catches of hilsa fish is being netted in the coastal waters of the Bay. Over 200 tonnes of hilsa came from the Bay on an average in a day since Monday last, said fish traders in Mohipur, a fishing zone near Kuakata sea beach in Patuakhali district. However, hilsa catching is yet start in full swing as two-thirds of the fishing trawlers are still lying idle at Mohipur, a fishing zone near Kuakata sea beach in Patuakhali district. Trawler owners and fish traders held price hike of fuel and fishing instruments responsible for the situation. “We could not send all the trawlers to the Bay as the cost has risen unusually. Earlier we could send a trawler to the Bay with about Tk 50,000 but this year we need Tk 80,000 to one lakh for the purpose due to price hike of fuel and fishing instruments,” said Fazlu Gazi, president of Trawler Owners Association at Mohipur. “Last year per litre diesel sold at Tk 31 but now it is selling at Tk 58 at local markets. We have to buy per kg fishing net at Tk 300 to 325 but in last year it was Tk 200 to 225,” he said. This year only about 100 trawlers are involved in catching hilsa whereas over 300 trawlers from Mohipur would go to the sea for the same purpose earlier, he added. Mohipur Fish Traders Association President Abdus Salam demanded that the government take immediate steps to reduce price of fuel. Hilsa price in the local markets remains high. Its price in wholesale markets in Patuakhali now ranges between Tk 350 to 400 per kg depending on size, which was Tk 250 to 300 last year.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments